Motivated Leake finds his game

A little motivation never hurt anyone. Reds right-hander Mike Leake admits all the talk about left-hander Tony Cingrani replacing him in the rotation pushed him.

"It helped a little bit," Leake said. "I didn't want him to take my spot. It definitely helped a little bit. Part of me says don't worry about it. Part of me says get an attitude about it. Then the third part is worry about it. You try to forget about that third part."

Leake went 3-1 with a 1.87 ERA in the month of May. He's been even better lately. He is 3-0 with a 0.33 ERA over his four starts.

He threw six shutout innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday to push his record to 5-2.

"He's been lights out," shortstop Zack Cozart said. "I think that little battle with Cingrani put him over the top. He said: 'You know what? I'm going to pitch the way I pitch.' It's worked out well for him."

--2B Brandon Phillips missed his second straight game with a bruised left forearm. Phillips suffered the injury during Saturday's win at Pittsburgh when he was hit by a Tony Watson pitch. X-rays were negative, but Phillips might not return until Friday when the Reds begin a three-game series at home against the first-place St. Louis Cardinals.

--OF Chris Heisey expects to begin a rehab assignment next week. On the disabled list since April 29 with a strained right hamstring, Heisey left his only rehab start in mid-May when he reinjured the hamstring. Heisey's absence, along with Ryan Ludwick being on the DL since Opening Day with a shoulder injury, has thrown the Reds' left field situation into flux.

--RF Jay Bruce went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run Monday night for his third multi-hit game in his past five starts. What was most encouraging for Reds manager Dusty Baker was that two of Bruce's hits, including his home run came with two outs. Bruce also recorded his first stolen base of the season.

--INF Jack Hannahan has been told to work out at short and second while Brandon Phillips is out with a bruised left forearm. Hannahan has played just two major-league innings at second base but did play there in 134 games in the minors. Hannahan, who was signed as a free agent in December to provide infield depth, has five pinch hits.

--RHP Homer Bailey is looking to rebound from his worst inning of the season when he starts Tuesday. In his last start, Bailey allowed seven earned runs, all in the fourth inning, in a 7-1 loss at Cleveland. It was the second time Bailey had allowed seven earned runs this season. But in his other nine starts this season, he has a 2.28 ERA. He's 1-4 with a 5.47 ERA lifetime against the Colorado Rockies.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I didn't have amazing stuff. Things just worked out. I kept guys off second base and was able to keep my pitch count down." -- RHP Bronson Arroyo after a win Monday.

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MLB Team Report - Cincinnati Reds - ROSTER REPORT

MEDICAL WATCH:

--2B Brandon Phillips (bruised left forearm) missed his second straight game June 3. X-rays were negative, but Phillips might not return until June 7 when the Reds begin a three-game series at home against the St. Louis Cardinals.

--LHP Sean Marshall (sprained left shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 21. Marshall was on the DL due to left shoulder tendinitis from April 10-26.

--LF Chris Heisey (strained right hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 28. He began a rehab assignment May 13 with Double-A Pensacola but re-strained his hamstring. He began outfield work in late May, but there was no timetable for his return as of May 28.

--RHP Nick Masset (right shoulder surgery in September 2012) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 21.

--LF Ryan Ludwick (torn labrum in right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 1, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 15. Ludwick had surgery April 3. He might not return before July.